Maintaining that stray cattle are causing inconvenience to road users and posing a huge risk to their lives, the TSA has submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary of Manipur to address the problem
TFM Desk
The Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) has urged the government of Manipur to address the problem of stray cattle on roads. Maintaining that stray cattle are causing inconvenience to road users and posing a huge risk to their lives, the TSA has submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary of Manipur.
Free-roaming cattle are a threat to vehicle riders as animals run on the middle of the road and all of a sudden move sideways, causing various road accidents in Manipur, said the representation.
In a press statement issued by Kamsanglen Singsit, secretary (MolMB) & spokesperson TSA-GHQ, TSA stated that stray cattle were seen herds on all the roads and highways in the state of Manipur in the last few days of pre-monsoon rains. It has hindered the smooth and safe movement of all vehicles plying in the roads, it added.
Mentioning that herds of stray cows and buffaloes roam freely on the thoroughfares and interior roads, the students’ body said a huge number of cattle sheds seems to be inoperative leading to cattle gathering together on the roads. Commuters with vehicles have been injured after the vehicles skidded because of cattle dung on the road.
TSA also lamented poor street lighting in the state as it has posed a danger to vehicle users due to inability to spot the vehicles. “Our roads are congested and stray cattle add to the traffic woes,” it said.
TSA pointed out that the menace is more serious than one imagines. Many ended up with fatal injuries and even deaths. Since these animals eat garbage containing plastic bags, indigestible materials and sharp objects, it also develops complicated health conditions risk to their life, it said
Maintaining that it is the duty of the state government to keep in view the directive principles of the state policy which are fundamental in the governance of the country, the students’ body urged the government to apply those principles in making the laws. “And, so far, no effective law has been made in the state to prevent the owners of bovine animals including cattle and cows from being let loose,” it said.
While anticipating the Chief Secretary for a positive action, the TSA urged him to look into the matter as a priority and special case.